Details: The Tomah Police Department received a
report that a dog was at large at 723 Hollister Avenue and was trying to
bite a juvenile female. Tomah Police Officers also learned that the dog
had crossed Hollister Avenue and was growling and barking at a juvenile
male. The male had to fend off the dog, utilizing his skateboard.
Eventually, bystanders drove by and were able to help the children
escape the vicinity of the vicious dog.

Tomah Police Officers arrived and were confronted by a Pitbull-type dog,
standing in the street and being aggressive towards officers. The
dog made an aggressive approach towards the officers so pepper spray was
used. The dog backed to the sidewalk in front of 723 Hollister
Avenue. The officers attempted to contain the dog. The dog
continued to be aggressive towards officers and pepper spray was
deployed a second time.

During the standoff between officers and the dog, a citizen backed his
truck approximately two houses north of the dog’s location in an attempt
to retrieve the juvenile female’s bike. The aggressive dog charged
towards the citizen.

After this, the dog began to return to 723 Hollister Avenue, with
officers nearby. During this time, the dog lunged at an officer, with
bared teeth and its ears back. The officer fired at and struck the dog.
This caused the dog to retreat to the rear of the residence and then
inside.

The home owner, who was not the owner of the dog, arrived and assisted
officers in determining the status of the dog. Based on apparent
injuries and remaining threat, the home owner and officers determined
the dog would be euthanized.

The dog owner arrived at the residence and the incident leading to the
death of his dog was explained.

The Tomah Police Department would like to thank the citizens who
assisted with this incident. We feel that if they had not, the dog
most likely would have caused harm to someone.